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Would you sleep in a stranger's bed?

A survey on the willingness of people to rent out their primary residences to short-term guests found most have qualms. Among them: the idea of strangers sleeping in their beds.(Photo: By Kitty Bean Yancey USA TODAY)

Nearly 40% of survey respondents said they would happily rent someone's home for a vacation stay, citing the "cozy comforts," affordability compared with a hotel, and the prospect of living larger than accustomed.

When it comes to letting a stranger sleep in their beds, however, respondents weren't so eager, according to a phone survey of 1,000 adults conducted for the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies.

Only 20% said they'd rent out their primary residence. A mere 13% said they'd rent using an online site as the vehicle by which to find lodgers. Having a friend or relative vouch for potential guests brought the willingness rate to 60%. And more than half said they'd trust "an extensive background check" to vet short-term renters.

Among top fears: fire caused by candles left burning; damage from wild parties; and having their valuables pilfered or broken.

Seventy-three percent worried about guests leaving bedbugs behind. And more than half were creeped out at the notion of someone sleeping in their bed.

I recently rented out my house for three nights to strangers (Australian friends of friends of friends). I didn't even meet them — just left the keys and came back when they were gone. They were happy. I was happy.

Readers, have you tried this at home? Or in someone else's home? How did it work out?